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Fragrance delivery for multimedia systemsRelated Patent Categories: Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, And Diffusing, Slow DiffusersFragrance delivery for multimedia systems description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070023540, Fragrance delivery for multimedia systems. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
STATUS OF RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/069,097 filed Mar. 1, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/950,903 filed on Sep. 27, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/791,923 filed on Mar. 3, 2004, the contents of all of which are all hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to fragrance delivery systems, and more particularly to fragrance delivery systems that are synchronized with audio and/or visual presentations to add fragrance to a display of sights and/or sounds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The "experience" of audiovisual entertainment has progressed from silent films and monaural recordings to today's visually stunning digital images and advances in sound reproduction such as the "surround sound" found in both commercial theatres and homes. Moreover, current computer-based games and games played on gaming platform employ the same advanced graphics and sound qualities found in film or video. These technologies create an audiovisual "experience" that immerses the user in a film or game like never before, stimulating sight, sound and even tactile sensations through deep bass vibrations provided by subwoofers and tactile feedback provided by some game controllers. There remains, however, one form of sensory perception that is not stimulated--the sense of smell. [0004] Numerous prior art systems have attempted to provide a scent to the environment that compliments or correlates to an audiovisual stimulus. Examples would be the smell of burning rubber coordinating with the screech of tires, or the scent of flowers when a corresponding image appears. Prior art systems have primarily been directed to introducing fragrances to large environments, such as an entire theater. These systems have by and large suffered from the problem that a fragrance will linger long after the coordinating audiovisual input has changed, and may in fact be difficult to replace with another scent as the scenes change, the typical result being a mixture of several fragrances that become an indistinct muddle. [0005] None of these prior art devices, however, provides a useful and commercially viable system for fragrance delivery to enhance an audiovisual presentation. Therefore, there remains a long-felt yet unmet need for providing it would therefore be desirable to provide. It would further be desirable to provide such improvements in a manner that permitted their application across a variety of situations and that permitted their implementation in a cost-effective manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Accordingly, it has now been found that these and other shortcomings of the prior art can be overcome by providing an apparatus for fragrance sensory stimulation that is connected to a multimedia source that has at least one audiovisual signal connected to an audiovisual display, and also has fragrance information synchronized with the audiovisual signal. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a fragrance generator processes the fragrance information into a fragrance signal and at least one fragrance control system accepts a fragrance signal as an input, and generates a control signal and a controlled airflow. In turn, a fragrance delivery system preferably comprising a plurality of fragrance chemicals in communication with the controlled airflow, selectively volatilizes the fragrance chemicals is so that a short burst of fragrance is sensed by the subject. In certain embodiments, the fragrance delivery system comprises an indexing turret containing a plurality of ports, each port containing one of said plurality of fragrance chemicals. In other preferred embodiment, a multiport micro-valve or array of such valves contains an absorbent material impregnated with a fragrance in each port. [0007] In certain embodiments, the system is constructed as two subassemblies, in which a transmitter is connected to the fragrance generator and a receiver is connected to the fragrance creation system, and the transmitter sends the fragrance signals to the receiver to control the creation of synchronized bursts of fragrance, most preferably provided by a compressor regulated by a microprocessor and including a high-pressure cutoff sensor so that a short burst of pressurized air having a duration of less than five seconds is created. In certain preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, the fragrance control system is mounted on a user's body, while in other preferred embodiments, the fragrance control system is mounted on a chair. Similarly, in certain preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, the fragrance delivery system is mounted on a user's body, while in other preferred embodiments, the fragrance control system is mounted on a chair. In other embodiments, a user interface is mounted to the user via an apparatus such as a mask, helmet, headset or earpiece. Alternatively, the interface can be placed adjacent the user, e.g., on a desk, or incorporated into another device such as a steering wheel controller for a game system. [0008] The present invention thus provides a fragrance producing system synchronized to an audiovisual medium that preferably includes a fragrance delivery system for providing a short burst of air containing one of a plurality of fragrance chemicals to an individual user coordinated by receiving and processing a signal contained within the audiovisual medium that has been transmitted to a fragrance creation system in which the signal activates a compressor that selectively volatilizes the fragrance chemical, wherein the plurality of fragrance chemicals are disposed within an apparatus that selectively mixes one of the plurality with a burst of pressurized air generated by said compressor. Most preferably, the signal contained within the audiovisual medium is transmitted via and RF transmitter to an RF receiver connected to the fragrance creation system, and the apparatus that selectively mixes one of the plurality with a burst of pressurized air generated by the compressor comprises a turret with a plurality of ports, and each of the ports includes an absorbent material and a fragrance chemical. Alternatively, the apparatus that selectively mixes one of the plurality with a burst of pressurized air generated by the compressor comprises an array of micro-valves, and each of the micro-valves includes an absorbent material and a fragrance chemical. [0009] Finally, the present invention also discloses methods of synchronizing a fragrance stimulus to a user with one or more audio and visual stimuli by providing a fragrance track to an audiovisual medium to provide a coded signal that correlates to a type of fragrance desired to be released at a pre-determined time, and then determining the divisions within the medium in which fragrance is to be delivered and creating a sequence of fragrances. A device having the requisite number of ports containing a sufficient variety and quantity of fragrance to correspond to the sequence of fragrances is provided and loaded with the fragrance. Next, a signal is processed to activate a compressor and connect the device with an airflow that the correct fragrance chemical is volatilized when a burst of air reaches the fragrance chemical. In certain embodiments. the step of providing a fragrance track comprises programmatic methods direct the system to generate a scent for a pre-determined brief period of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, partially perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fragrance creation system used in the system shown in FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, partially perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the delivery creation system used in the system shown in FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a mask; [0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a "desktop" device; [0015] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a head-mounted device; [0016] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of an ear-mounted device; [0017] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a user-worn pendant; [0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a helmet; [0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a steering wheel gaming controller; Continue reading about Fragrance delivery for multimedia systems... Full patent description for Fragrance delivery for multimedia systems Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fragrance delivery for multimedia systems patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fragrance delivery for multimedia systems or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Air freshener container and composition Next Patent Application: Volatile liquid disseminating apparatus Industry Class: Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fragrance delivery for multimedia systems patent info. 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